Topic: Stripping down to the essentials (Read 5664 times)

Rusty Madra · « **on:** February 06, 2013 »

I've been experimenting with minimal kit recently: stripping down to the essentials. The process started on last years Mourne Mountain Marathon when I noticed very few people carried more than a waterbottle and filled up from streams as they went.

This intrigued me.... I used to carry at least a 35 litre rucksack filled to the brim even for a short day walk. So I've tried carrying only a waterbottle and it worked splendidly. Then I looked about and wondered what else I carry about that I didn't really need.

I've recently been using a poncho as a tent (with a plastic emergency bivvy underneath) and found it works quite well. Waterproofs and a shelter in one small bundle.

I thought about this concept of stripping away all you don't need in a much more general sense while I was walking the Camino.

Interestingly it's very liberating stripping down to only what you need: in the mountains, in your work, in your relationships and in your own head. Beware though, it's also contagious and I've found it spreads to other areas of life with positive results. Since exploring the concept of minimal kit I've donated alot of stuff to charity and cleared alot of junk out of my house (and my life).

I also think that when you assess what you really need it provokes a charitable instinct. I've noticed that in the process of stripping away all the clutter of life and becoming aware that I have all I need, somehow I've become a little more charitable and aware of what others need but don't have. Importantly the sense of knowing that you have all you need also frees you up to give more to those who don't.

Anyhow have a wee de-clutter of your rucksack and or your life.... it's much easier travelling with a lighter load

FairWeatherCamper · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2013 »

Hi Rusty Madra,
Interesting post. Interestingly for me, I came on the opposite journey. I started trying to de-clutter my life by getting rid of some of the commitments that were draining my time and were only for my own benefit. I tried to simplify it right down to the essentials like work and family time. I also gave away most of my gadgets. It was the search for a simple life that led me to hiking. I started thinking what can I do that only involves me, other people and minimal equipment - walking? No expensive equipment or tickets to buy. No need for a lot of facilities around to entertain me.

Obviously if I start camping out or being out in extreme weather I'll need to expand my kit for safety, but for now it's a decent coat, sturdy boots, my old rucksack (there's very little in it but water and a torch) and the great outdoors. Simple. Liberating.

mregan · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2013 »

Similar thing is happening on my bikes.

Less suspension, Less gears, Less clutter on the bike. This results in fewer potential issues while out on the trails.

Quote

I thought about this concept of stripping away all you don't need in a much more general sense while I was walking the Camino.

My mum and sister done the Camino a few years back and they learnt this lesson very quickly. They had huge packs, tent, sleeping bags etc. It wasnt long till they realised they didnt need the half of the stuff. They donated it to the shelters they stayed at along the way. The tent and in the heat the sleeping bags were the first things to go. They finished the camino with little more than their day sacks.

Rusty Madra · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2013 »

Fair play to you will. We'll maybe get out on a camp sometime soon. You're quite right on the safety note. Reading back I don't think I stressed the importance of having enough kit to be safe. Heading off with nothing but good intentions in a pair of jeans sounds romantic but never underestimate the dangers of the wild. If weather turns or you suddenly find yourself in the dark without any light source panic can set in and tragedy often follows.

Rusty Madra · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2013 »

Fair play to them: it's a long road and every kilo counts towards the end!

Wolf_Larson · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2013 »

I want to learn how to survive with as little as possible, also learn bushcraft.

Neanderphil · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2013 »

I'm trying something similar I want to do the camino with in the next few years a friend did it and it sounds amazing. But this summer I want to try a 120 mile (aprox) walk from Belfast to Sligo so I don't want a rucksack that ways to much but at the same time I want enought equipment to see me through over a week.

I guess I need to find the right balance

Wolf_Larson · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2013 »

Belfast to Sligo sounds like a real great walk, keep me posted on that plz

;

twentyclicks · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2013 »

I've been progressing on this over the past number of years. I keep thinking I've cleared all the stuff I don't need, but 6 months later I realise there are a few more things that can go... house move last year really shocked me and started the whole thing up again! Charity has certainly got a share, but I have to admit eBay and Gumtree get the prime pickings, and freecycle/freegle gets the stuff that the charity shops couldn't use.

I do buy more stuff, but I think about it longer to make sure it is necessary, and usually try to get rid of something else in exchange.

There are some techy/hipster types who own less than 100 items total. I can see how it works for them (usually for a time) and they seem to have no particular hobbies etc, although it is a bit extreme and they can come across silly the way they count things or dismiss anyone who isn't doing what they are. I have some e-books I can zip to anyone interested (PM me your email) that have some helpful tips or interesting concepts in them if you do want to explore minimalism in various areas of your life... again I stress, you have to pick and choose the useful bits from the extreme/douchy bits

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Author Topic: Stripping down to the essentials (Read 5664 times)

Rusty Madra

Stripping down to the essentials

FairWeatherCamper

Re: Stripping down to the essentials

mregan

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Rusty Madra

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Rusty Madra

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Wolf_Larson

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Neanderphil

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Wolf_Larson

Re: Stripping down to the essentials

twentyclicks

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